This post is actually going to be about two entirely separate issues. Mostly it will be about this one: discipline and how sometimes I feel like I’m the one being punished and a little about this: Children’s haircutteries.
Issue one: This whole discipline and standing by WHAT I SAID thing comes back and bites me in the arse more often than not. In my head, I hear that sarcastic voice of mine taunting, “Newsflash! Parenting requires sacrifice and it’s often inconvenient!”
I KNOW.
As soon as I set the limits and “or elses” for Carson, I know, I KNOW, that we’re headed down a slippery, yet sharp and jagged slope. Most likely we end up at the bottom of the cliff, both mildly injured and near tears.
I took Carson to get a haircut at a place that specializes in children’s haircuts. It’s the type of place where instead of regular seats, kids can pick to sit in a race car or fire truck…, they get to watch a video during the haircut, and they get a balloon when they’re all done. Fun! What’s NOT to like about a place like this if you’re two??? I specifically chose this place because we’ve been twice before and Carson hasn’t thrown a fit or cried. It seemed logical to go back, right?
“Newsflash dumbass! Logic and toddler are incompatible words! FAIL.”
I KNOW.
I had an extensive talk with Carson about what would happen WHEN he was a good boy and got his haircut. I promised a trip to the holy land of Target. He LOVES Target (and Meijer), so I figured that it would be a great reward AND I could get the Method shower cleaner Becky told me about or the automatic one Charming Driver told me about AND it’s right across the street. Carson was very excited at the prospect of going to Target.
Carson screamed bloody murder during the entire haircut. Of COURSE he did.
I sweated like a pig.
As we were leaving, Carson started in with the begging to go to Target. I remained silent the entire walk to the car, as Carson repeated over and over, “I ready to go Target.”
Here’s the thing. I STRONGLY considered just going ahead and going RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET to Target and saying SCREW parental responsibility JUST THIS ONCE so I could go and get the BLEEPING shower cleaner that we’re completely out of and we have guests coming on Friday and now I’ll just waste the VERY EXPENSIVE gas having to COME BACK LATER. I didn’t want to discipline him this time. I WANTED TO GO TO TARGET. *pouts*
“Newsflash lady! You’re the parent. Do your job and PARENT.”
I KNOW. I KNOW. I KNOW. Alright.
I decided that since I had said that we’d go to Target ONLY if he made good choices while getting his haircut and he wailed the whole time, I HAD to prove my point and go home. I knew that giving in was just asking for more of the same and worse behavior in the future. Having to miss out on the NEEDED trip to Target pissed me off because I shouldn’t have used that as a reward in the first place!
GAH! I need to go back and read some of my child behavior modification stuff from the two million hours of inservice I sat through while working in the schools.
Issue the second: Where do they find the people to work in such a thankless environment as a children’s haircut shop? I know Carson is not the ONLY kid throw a conniption fit, so I can only imagine the sheer hell of cutting these little tyrants’ hair.
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We did haircuts today too! I only took them to Supercuts though, not a cool place like you.
Sticking to your guns is so difficult, but it’s rewarding in the long run… or so I hear.
Being a parent sucks. Believe it.
He looks adorable! I’ll have to post a pic of Monkey and his new super short haircut.
rachel’s last blog post..Thirty on Thursday: The birthday post.
By rachel
on 08.07.08 12:38 am | Permalink
Exactly why I never do those if this than this punishments. Because the person who really ends up suffering is the mom!!!
mojavi at simple things’s last blog post..don’t lie to me!
By mojavi at simple things
on 08.07.08 12:47 am | Permalink
I FEEL you. Several times I’ve had to leave a lunch date with beloved friends because my kid was acting up and I uttered the words “We’re going to leave if you don’t do xyz”. We stayed home from a friend’s birthday party, and cut a trip to DISNEYLAND short after serious infractions.
I felt like I was punished more, but fast forward a few years, and my girls KNOW I will turn around and leave just about ANY situation if they don’t shape up.
all things bd’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday (1 Week Late): God Bless Texas
By all things bd
on 08.07.08 12:54 am | Permalink
LMAO (sorry)
Solution: Keep duct tape in car. Put duct tape over child’s eyes. Tell him he is somewhere else. Shop your heart’s content.
If words come out of child’s mouth to challenge where you said you were… put duct tape over child’s mouth.
See? Duct tape solves all problems.
<3 you, hot momma.
Sarcastic Mom’s last blog post..I only wanted to crawl in a hole and die for a little while.
By Sarcastic Mom
on 08.07.08 1:10 am | Permalink
We also visit a place locally called “Kidz Cutz” the whole salon is painted out like a scene from finding nemo - and same scenario, the kids get to watch a DVD of their choice during the ‘process’. Skippy has NEVER complained during a hair cut. Thus after we moved 45km away to another suburb, we STILL Make the drive out to this place because I know it’s the only fail safe way to ensure happy child + good haircut = happy mommy = screw the gas bill.
Ness’s last blog post..These boots are made for walkin’ and ridin’ and struttin’ !!
By Ness
on 08.07.08 1:22 am | Permalink
It gets harder as they get older. Two years ago I had to stick by my threat to take driving priveleges away from my teen daughter FOR 3 WEEKS! It meant I had to get up at 5 a.m. to take her to school, stop everything mid-day to pick her up (an hour round trip twice each day). Not to mention driving her to and from her job, etc., etc. I felt like I was the one being punished. It was torture (for me). HOWEVER … I did it. And you know what? I never had to do it again. She realized I would enforce the rules and she didn’t dare break them again. Thank God!!
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By Twenty Four At Heart
on 08.07.08 1:35 am | Permalink
Oh, I HATE it when I have to act grownup! Sorry you missed out on Target!
kendrawolf’s last blog post..The New MacBook Has Arrived!!
By kendrawolf
on 08.07.08 3:39 am | Permalink
I usually threaten something like a time out or a smack to the booty (which we only do playfully around here and it makes them laugh when I say it). I hate taking away good stuff!! More than that, I despise the whining that happens once said good stuff is taken away! Sometimes being the grown up is no fun at all!
pgoodness’s last blog post..Movie Mania
By pgoodness
on 08.07.08 6:31 am | Permalink
Discipline ALWAYS comes back to bite me in the tush too. Oh well, good lesson anyway. Warning: I started out taking my kids to the cute little kiddie salons too, and now it’s the only place they’d even consider getting their hair cut. Personally, I’d like to transition to the $4.99 Great Clips cut, but it’s not worth the trauma. Jacob thinks the world truly would end if he couldn’t play video games while he gets his hair cut! I have visions of him being 16 and still going to the kiddie salon.
Mom24’s last blog post..Did you stop to add this up?
By Mom24
on 08.07.08 6:54 am | Permalink
I have totally been there and made a threat and I didn’t want to follow through on. But I did it anyway — pouting the whole time. But go you for sticking to your guns!
And Carson’s haircut is so cute — he looks so grown up! To cease the screaming try a sucker — they work wonders!
I asked the girl at the kid haircut place why in the world she would do that rather than cut the hair of someone who would sit still and not scream their bloddy head off. She said that kids don’t bitch about wanting it ‘just right’ and that parents, at least for the most part, just want a trim so that their kid can see out from under the mop of hair, rather than wanting a totally specific ’style’ like adults.
For the record, I think that people who work at those types of places probably ought to have their first miracle toward sainthood waived. Seriously.
Maggie’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Down On The Farm
By Maggie
on 08.07.08 7:05 am | Permalink
Oh man, being the parent sucks!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who sweats like a pig when my kid behaves like an asshole. It’s an automatic, totally unflattering, response that I hate.
By Shelly
on 08.07.08 7:16 am | Permalink
My oldest son is three and we JUST had his first haircut without a grand mal seizure.
He did start out with some tears - but then it was like the heavens opened up and golden light of reason poured into his head: “Oh - so it’s really NOT that big of a deal…okay, thanks for the lollipop.”
In the past we’ve left haircuts covered in sweat, snot - and of course hair (because I was that mother who still had to hold her son on her lap so she could restrain him). Now the younger one is starting to fight haircuts - so I guess the cycle begins again. Thank god his sister is still pitifully hairless - I can only handle so much drama per haircut.
Kate’s last blog post..Bandita
By Kate
on 08.07.08 8:04 am | Permalink
He is adorable!! So cute. I am wanting to take my 2 year old to do the same but I am afraid of the “scream” fest as well! I want to do it and get it over with just to get her bangs trimmed (I mess them up myself) OI!! Thanks for the comment and for stopping by!
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By Christina
on 08.07.08 8:05 am | Permalink
I hated reading that story because that kind of crap happens all the time in our house. I need to think of a better method.
As for the haircut. Try this: Give him a lollipop DURING the haircut. I know, it is gross. There will be sticky nasty slobbery hairy goop everywhere. But he will be quiet. Just a thought.
Feliz’s last blog post..Oooh…New Toys
By Feliz
on 08.07.08 8:12 am | Permalink
See…that is why I do Babyhead’s hair myself…it’s real easy. I got a pair of clippers and just buzz it short (not bald short…but short). All one length…no fuss…5 minutes tops. I dread when he wants a cut that is something OTHER than that though…
Sandy’s last blog post..Sometimes Being a Mom is a Great Thing
By Sandy
on 08.07.08 8:14 am | Permalink
I hope everyone posts a haircut horror story so I can feel better about the fact that my kid won’t be needing her first haircut until she’s 47. Thanks for the momentary boost of, “Hey! There’s advantages to having a kid whose hair doesn’t grow!”
Love the photo and you are obviously getting really good with that camera.
Burgh Baby’s last blog post..Move Over Warhol, Here Comes the Toddler
By Burgh Baby
on 08.07.08 8:27 am | Permalink
OMG I miss Meijers. We had that in Indiana when I was growing up. I loved going there! My friends and I used to walk forever to get there, just to spend our 5 bucks.
I love his hair cut, it looks so cute!
J’s last blog post..It’s Deja Vu, all over again.
By J
on 08.07.08 8:39 am | Permalink
Oh I dread getting my son’s haircut…and having to come up with new and inventive ways to parent when all I want to do is have my own tantrum…
I ask, when will Mommy get HER way?!
I hope you make it to Target soon
By GHD
on 08.07.08 8:40 am | Permalink
Oh no!
I have had to do that many times, and it hurts. But, when they listen and KNOW you will do just what you say….the power! It almost makes me drunk.
Oh, and the Method stuff won’t clean the shower in a day if it’s already dirty. It’s more like clean it, start using that stuff and never clean it again. Just FYI since you have company coming.
Becky’s last blog post..Peter and the Wolf
By Becky
on 08.07.08 8:48 am | Permalink
I love getting the sweat on while child-wrangling. I figure it counts as cardio.
Teri’s last blog post..Little Reminders
By Teri
on 08.07.08 8:54 am | Permalink
those haircutting places make me so angry. they overcharge just so my kid can sit in a friggin’ boat or car or whatever and watch Dora while a completely incapable woman cuts his or her hair to shreds. i’ve stopped going to them. GRRR> sorry…end of rant.
ali’s last blog post..of pasta birthdays and pineapple express dreams
By ali
on 08.07.08 9:28 am | Permalink
@ali: OH yes. They OVERCHARGE big time!
I guess, though, I feel like at least at a kid’s haircut place, they are used to screaming kids. Other places would be less patient. Also the stylists at those places are skilled at working with a moving target and are less likely to jab my kid with the scissors!
By Jennifer
on 08.07.08 9:33 am | Permalink
Sometimes, being effective in the parenting department totally sucks.
Sunshine’s last blog post..I’m Paying You To Leave
By Sunshine
on 08.07.08 9:33 am | Permalink
Well you are definitely not alone!! I’ve always taken my now 4-year old son to the kiddo salon too, but it is always interesting to see how he reacts. Some days he’s cool with watching Cars and cooperating, other times he screams like a banshee and I worry that the stylist is going to lop off an ear. And although I wish I could say he’s gotten better since he was 2, sadly, it’s not the case. It’s always a gamble.
HeatherPride’s last blog post..This Man is Your Man, This Man is My Man
By HeatherPride
on 08.07.08 9:42 am | Permalink
It is so hard to do the right thing when you have to sacrifice something like target…but at least the result is so adorable!
rachel b.’s last blog post..some little bug is going to find you sometime.
By rachel b.
on 08.07.08 9:48 am | Permalink
Yeah. I have walked into that SAME parenting trap a few times. Sucks ass.
I think from now on I’ll offer a lollipop or soemthing easier.
By Marti
on 08.07.08 9:53 am | Permalink
Oh he does look adorable!!!
I hate haircut places. I took Brandon to one of those overpriced jokes of a haircuttery that was supposedly designed for children. The idiot behind the smock decided that clippers w/o warning or explanation on a 2 year old’s FIRST haircut was a BRILLIANT idea. Scared the living crap outta the kid and getting him in for a tear free haircut was ruined for the next FIVE years. I cut his hair now. And I will never…ever…ever…shell out the amount of money they ask for at one of those places again. I’ll handle the girls hair and the boys hair myself. I’m the only one that gets to shell out insane amounts of money for haircuts anymore
Sarah’s last blog post..Pick a dream…any dream…
By Sarah
on 08.07.08 9:58 am | Permalink
We got haircuts yesterday too. Both kids at a place just as you decribed. Muirne’s hair is perfect. Bardolf’s cut is horrid and we ended up getting a gift certificate for a free cut next time. The kids were perfect…not the cut.
That being said you did the right thing. Which you already know. When Muirne was about 3 we really struggled with tantrums and I had to leave several playgroups because of it. *I* always felt like I was being punished just as much, but at least she knew I meant business!
KD (A Bit Squirrelly)’s last blog post..Can You Have A Six-Pack With Stretch Marks?
By KD (A Bit Squirrelly)
on 08.07.08 10:00 am | Permalink
You have my respect. I would probably have caved and gone to Target.
I used to dread my kid’s haircuts. All three would scream, scream, scream through the whole thing. Now that they are 6, 6 and 3 it is a much more pleasant experience.
Mama Ginger Tree’s last blog post..The Great Interview Experiment
By Mama Ginger Tree
on 08.07.08 10:00 am | Permalink
I’ve definitely shot myself in the foot like that before.
Now I remember to use buying a trinket from the One Spot (aka Bribery Central) as the proverbial carrot…not the entire trip to Target.
Slacker Mama’s last blog post..eyes on the prize
By Slacker Mama
on 08.07.08 10:03 am | Permalink
My kids respond well to “The manager is watching you through his special spy cameras. Do you want him to make you sit in his office? or Do you want him to kick you out in front of EVERYBODY(large mom eyes and pointing at all the people) here?” Even at almost 5 and 6, they are terrified of managers everywhere. When people leave before us at a restaurant, T assumes they have been kicked to the curb for some sort of unruly behavior.
“OH NO!, the camera just pointed to us when you did that!!!” works well to remind them of the fear!
I know what you mean though about being punished yourself. When I was packing for a trip the other day and had a million things to do- STUPID, STUPID
By MH
on 08.07.08 10:16 am | Permalink
me banned them from TV for the day. Had to pull the- “silly you, I banned you from anything but long MOVIES for the day.”
By MH
on 08.07.08 10:17 am | Permalink
ugh. I hate punishments that punish me too. I would have been VERY VERY tempted to go to Target anyway, but you did the right thing. Maybe now you can sneak away with no children and actually enjoy the experience!
Devan’s last blog post..Just how is this supposed to work?
By Devan
on 08.07.08 10:18 am | Permalink
Having read your post about standing by what you said, I figured that was the way to go and have been trying very hard since. It’s not easy - I totally admire you for sticking to your guns on that one, despite the cost and inconvenience involved.
By Vic @ Glowstars
on 08.07.08 11:13 am | Permalink
oh I feel your pain! Jacob (my 3yr old) scream when you even mention getting a hair cut. We’ve tried the kid places and still screams. Now we just do it at home and try the best we can…half the time it’s so uneven and drives me nuts.
Good for you for making sure you followed through…I hate it when we get punished cuz our kids couldn’t act appropriately.
Carrie’s last blog post..Spin Art!!
By Carrie
on 08.07.08 11:29 am | Permalink
I think you did the right thing not going to Target. I know it was a PITA for you having to go back, but maybe he will put the offense with the consequence. But at 2 there is no telling. I am so glad that I have girls with the whole haircut thing. I would just trim their ends until they were older and wanted a different cut. Really Chicken could still get her cut at home but she enjoys our gal doing her hair too so it isn’t too bad. Plus she is in the tweens and if it isn’t just right she gets mad at me. Hopefully you got to Target. HUGS!
Heather-Domestic Extraordinaire’s last blog post..Team Sports
By Heather-Domestic Extraordinaire
on 08.07.08 11:44 am | Permalink
I second the suggestion for using a toy from the Dollar Spot as the bribe. That way, you can still go to Target and get what you need. Gas is too expensive to have to go back. My son used to scream bloody murder at the kids’ haircut place. I always assumed that’s why they charge a fortune, because they have to pay those stylists to tolerate all the screaming. Finally my husband took my son to the woman that cuts his hair, she asked Braden if he liked M&M’s, he said yes, she pulled out a bag and said “Get in the chair and get a haircut like a big boy, if you don’t cry or squirm you can have these M&M’s”. He did it and she only charges $5.00! Wish I had known chocolate and a stern warning would be enough to stop the fits.
Maeve’s mom’s last blog post..Hey, check me out!
By Maeve's mom
on 08.07.08 12:03 pm | Permalink
First of all, your kid is GUH. OR. GEOUS.
Secondly, “say what you mean and mean what you say” is one of the hardest parts of parenting, and you rocked the house on it today, sister. Hats off to you.
laurie, thatsthewayitis’s last blog post..Toddlers: Dysfunctional Hobbits
By laurie, thatsthewayitis
on 08.07.08 12:42 pm | Permalink
That is why I only give punishments that I can live with. My husband is always threatening this and that (sometimes not even realistic at all). Sometimes he threatens the kids that they’ll have to sit on a stool in the kitchen while I make dinner! WTH! Who’s getting the punishment them or me? I only the other hand totally manipulate the punishment/reward to my liking so that I’m never inconvenienced. Wow, I’m shallow!
By Lori
on 08.07.08 12:57 pm | Permalink
Dang. this is the EXACT reason I have not taken my two-year-old twins to someone “professional” for hair cuts. I struggle every few weeks here at home to cut their hair, and it’s never pretty… gulp.
You have more guts than I do, that’s for sure.
AND — GOOD FOR YOU for not taking him to Target. I would have done the same.
Kristin @ where my boys at?’s last blog post..Alice in Non-Dairyland
By Kristin @ where my boys at?
on 08.07.08 1:13 pm | Permalink
I count myself very lucky that my son’s father does hair for a living. That is one battle I do not have to fight.
You just proved yourself a better parent than I am. I probably would have done Target anyway, reasoning that it caused such horrible trauma that he deserves it.
THAT is the wrong answer, yours was the right.
Natalie’s last blog post..Three Ring Binder
By Natalie
on 08.07.08 2:06 pm | Permalink
I’m just now learning to only threaten things I am willing to take away myself. It sucks, huh?
And I second the vote for the automatic shower cleaner! LOVE mine! You have to have a clean shower first, but it does do a pretty decent job of keeping it clean after that! And it smells REALLY GOOD.
Karly’s last blog post..Seeing The Moon Through My Window. Or Some Other Nonsense.
By Karly
on 08.07.08 2:14 pm | Permalink
Hey, that is sacrifice. I could not resist Target.
By Shamelessly Sassy
on 08.07.08 2:41 pm | Permalink
I HATE having to follow through when it’s something I want to do!
On the flip side…if I know that he will slip I’ll use something that he wanted to do but I wouldn’t! Make sense?!? I know, it makes me a little evil…but it also makes me follow through!
By Helen
on 08.07.08 2:42 pm | Permalink
Way to stick to your guns! YAY!
And OMG! He is darling!
Kathryn’s lastest post..My Husband’s Keeper
By Kathryn
on 08.07.08 2:51 pm | Permalink
It’s kind of breaking my heart that he still wanted to go to Target.
I got tired of the tears at the $18 a pop kids haircuttery, so I started buzzing his hair at home. First I do his dad’s hair while he watches. Then we sit him on his dad’s lap and he touches the clippers to see they don’t hurt. Then we cut.
After the second time, he became EAGER for it to be his turn. (and I got better at not giving him the escaped mental patient hairdo) The clippers were $13 at Target and have saved us SO MUCH MONEY.
(he does look pretty cute, though)
moo’s lastest post..dead fish and houseguests begin to stink after 2 days
By moo
on 08.07.08 2:57 pm | Permalink
great haircut, even without target.
and yeah, be careful what you threaten.
sigh.
the planet of janet’s lastest post..The next step in my evil plan
By the planet of janet
on 08.07.08 3:59 pm | Permalink
I think you did the right “teaching moment” thing since you stuck to your word…but maybe (tiny voice here) you were asking too much of him at the Cookie Cutter place? Maybe he was afraid (but you know him best obviously) or it was overwhelming for some reason b/c of all the “fun FUN!” stuff they have there?
They seriously are so inconsistent with what they can handle. Maybe just keep low expectations, baby. VERY low. And then you don’t have to give up Target. Wee!
Must Be Motherhood’s lastest post..The One Month Countdown
By Must Be Motherhood
on 08.07.08 4:04 pm | Permalink
Ugh. Haircutting day is always such a pain! But my oh my is he ADORABLE! Ya done good, mom…
Brillig’s lastest post..Kiss ‘n’ Blog
By Brillig
on 08.07.08 4:36 pm | Permalink
Good job mama!
I would be scared to work at one of the kid’s haircut places. Screaming, flailing kids + sharp haircut scissors = very scary combination and potential for accidents.
Amanda’s lastest post..Doctors, doctors, doctors
By Amanda
on 08.07.08 5:15 pm | Permalink
at the rate Im going my daughters first haircut will be before her first homecoming dance in high school.
that said Im getting pretty damn crafty with chicken shears.
MizFit’s lastest post..I love you for all the wrong reasons.
By MizFit
on 08.07.08 5:27 pm | Permalink
I had a really good comment all written out in my head, but then I was distracted by cuteness and I lost it.
Maria’s lastest post..I think Unassisted Homebirth is irresponsible.
By Maria
on 08.07.08 5:36 pm | Permalink
last time we went to one of those awful places PK got a uneven wack job from a 18 year old girl with a hangover. Don’t go to those places on Saturday morning. that’s your warning.
designHER Momma’s lastest post..It’s only her 3rd word…
By designHER Momma
on 08.07.08 6:03 pm | Permalink
Get his Daddy to cut his hair not only saving money but allowing you a little free time to head to Target.
There now isn’t everyone happy.
WM’s lastest post..Ok lets just clear this up right now…
By WM
on 08.07.08 6:11 pm | Permalink
Target love at this age? You start em young!
slynnro’s lastest post..Teacher is Student.
By slynnro
on 08.07.08 6:20 pm | Permalink
My boys call Target “the cookie store.” Since that’s where they get a cookie if the comply with my every wish….
I said I would never do that.
But I do it.
Does it make me feel better that I follow through on NO COOKIE if things don’t go well?
YUP.
Does it make me feel great that there are cookies involved in the first place?
NOPE.
By Heather
on 08.07.08 6:48 pm | Permalink
Being the Mom really sucks sometimes.
Slacker Mama had a GREAT idea, though! Keep that one in your back pocket!
And, your boy looks handsome.
VDog’s lastest post..Wordless Geek
By VDog
on 08.07.08 6:56 pm | Permalink
Madness is a BAD MOM and is ONLY admitting that because she had a LONG HARD DAY at a job she now HATES and is WELL on her way to DRUNK.
With that said ..
Madness has always ended up “feeling bad” for the CHILD and thus BREAKING DOWN and NOT followed thru with said threats..discipline..whatever u call it.
Thus…
Madness is the Momma of Five Brats.
HA!
ha ha ha
HA!
Madness’s lastest post..Madness knows it sucks … she knows
By Madness
on 08.07.08 7:05 pm | Permalink
He looks adorable! What a great pic. I am CONSTANTLY amazed at how hard discipline is! It’s hard to figure out what works, it’s hard to be consistent, it’s hard to follow-through….it’s hard work, people who don’t know!!!! I guess it was more of a surprise for me because I have a Psych degree and had the big-headed thought that I would know how to handle stuff. Ha! Hahahahaha!!
By PsychMamma
on 08.07.08 7:56 pm | Permalink
Good for you… I have been exactly where you are, not over a haircut but over behavior at a friend’s house. It is hard to make those sacrifices.. but in my heart, I have to believe that our kids are better for us having a backbone.. they learn that we mean what we say, and although they may fuss about.. in the long run.. I think we all win.
It isn’t easy at all.. so kudos for sticking to your guns!
Shamalam’s lastest post..My Soundtrack
By Shamalam
on 08.07.08 9:27 pm | Permalink
Sometimes it sucks to be the grown up…cute haircut, even with a conniption:)
Nap Warden’s lastest post..Award, Meme, Award, Award
By Nap Warden
on 08.07.08 9:51 pm | Permalink
I find myself wanting to give in, as well. Some days you’re just too tired to care! But you’re right, unfortunately, being responsible is definitely NOT fun!
By Jennifer
on 08.07.08 11:37 pm | Permalink
[...] The haircut that cost me a trip to Target [...]
By Only $50 poorer | Playgroups are No Place For Children on 08.08.08 12:01 am | Permalink
I applaud you for you are a better woman than I.
I am really horrible at following through with consequences and as a result, I’m sure my kids are going to be sociopaths (JOKE! That’s a JOKE, God. ***nervously throws salt over shoulder***)
However, I do LIKE Sarcastic Mom’s duct tape idea.
That just could work…
San Diego Momma’s lastest post..The Phoenix
By San Diego Momma
on 08.08.08 9:43 am | Permalink
Blahh in the good old days our moms would have gone to Target anyway and made us stay in the car by ourselves.
Just this week I resolved to not giving in when standards are set. Because she does what I want for the 10 minutes, gets rewarded and then goes back to the original behavior.
I told her she was going to start loosing things instead of gaining them. Which caused very wide eyes.
Melizzard’s lastest post..Dog Days…
By Melizzard
on 08.08.08 1:15 pm | Permalink
I know it was hard, but you did the right thing. Kudos to you!
midlifemommy’s lastest post..Eyes to the East, Feet Planted Firmly in the West
By midlifemommy
on 08.08.08 1:36 pm | Permalink
I understand your woes, honey. I took my 23 month old to get HIS hair cut yesterday and he threw a fit and the lady bushwhacked him. The cut is so bad, I cried. My beautiful baby has a lopsided crooked mullet with bangs that are simultaneously 2 inches AND 2.5 inches too short. Figure that one out.
*sigh* I am going to learn to cut hair myself, damn it.
By Misty
on 08.08.08 1:59 pm | Permalink
Sometimes standing your ground sucks. Good job sticking to it anyway! The haircut looks adorable.
Rachael’s lastest post..Haiku Friday: Vacation Unplugged
By Rachael
on 08.08.08 3:37 pm | Permalink
You are a strong woman.
I think the people who cut children’s hair must be saints. Last time Lovebug got a haircut he whined the entire time - and his whine is VERY annoying - and the woman sincerely praised his behavior to me. I shudder to think of what the other kids must be like then.
Jerseygirl89’s lastest post..Haiku Friday - Competition Edition
By Jerseygirl89
on 08.08.08 5:53 pm | Permalink
I guess it’s kind of redundant to say “been there, done that,” but I have. Today, in fact. The bit about the screaming in the car? Check. Me sweating like a pig? Check. Knowing it’s the right thing to do, but wanting to just take the easy road and go to the freaking {Target} Dollar Store? Check.
Oh, and one more thing? You get those “Newsflash, DUMBASS” messages too? And here I thought I was the only one…
Kia’s lastest post..Morphing into More?
By Kia
on 08.08.08 8:15 pm | Permalink
OMG so funny. GOOD JOB,though. What you did, not giving him the Target Reward, is setting yourself up for success. This is the exact moment where the child/parent relationship is either solidified or breaks down. Parents who set up rules and boundaries, only to allow them to be broken, get teenagers who don’t follow rules, break curfew without fear of punishment, and basically push their parents around. As a teen, I broke rules too but I always knew that I’d face punishment if I did it. You did the right thing, sistah!
By Texan Mama
on 08.09.08 1:00 pm | Permalink
I am watching and learning. How to parent, a guide by bloggers. Can we start the book proposal now?
Funny, I just gave Jonah his first “haircut” today (blog post coming as soon as I can get a picture). Had no idea what I was doing, not sure it was such a good idea, definitely hard to hit a moving target without drawing blood, biding time before I can get him to a professional so he can have a cut worthy of his good looks…
Julie @ the calm before the stork’s lastest post..al pacino’s excellent day
By Julie @ the calm before the stork
on 08.10.08 5:08 pm | Permalink
Most of the kids don’t like to cut their hair. Interesting post.
Gloria’s lastest post..About Roofing Shingles
By Gloria
on 08.12.08 4:49 am | Permalink
I think that my oldest’s first word was Target. I love theTarget, and I miss the Meijers….. Wish they had one near us! I love that you give yourself pep talks. I don’t feel so alone anymore.
As for the haircuts…I gave up on trying to take her to get her haircut. TO keep the mullet fairy away, I’ve been trimming it myself. Hope I haven’t scarred her for life… then again she’s only 2- so if she hasn’t been scarred yet- I have time.
erin’s lastest post..Happier
By erin
on 08.12.08 12:23 pm | Permalink
YAY YOU! If everyone were as effective in their parenting, do you know how much better this world would be??
Do you??
I KNOW!
Soliloquy’s lastest post..UNCLE! *Updated*
By Soliloquy
on 08.16.08 2:20 pm | Permalink